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Struggle Care

58: Hoarding: Two Experts, Part 2

Oct 26, 2023
Dr. Leslie Hatch Gail, a professional organizer and hoarding consultant, discusses the complex issues surrounding hoarding, including its classification as a subtype of OCD. They explore the importance of understanding the underlying trauma that leads to hoarding tendencies and emphasize that simply cleaning out a hoarder's stuff does not solve the problem long-term. Dr. Leslie shares helpful strategies for raising awareness about hoarding and highlights the stages of readiness in making changes. They also provide insights into the organizing process and the significance of first impressions and available resources for clients.
35:42

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Hoarding should be treated as a symptom rather than a standalone disorder, requiring understanding and support for individuals with hoarding challenges.
  • Hoarding can have a traumatic impact on children living in hoarded environments, necessitating awareness and support from social workers and schools to provide safe spaces and teach essential life skills.

Deep dives

Hoarding challenges and the need for proper understanding and support

Dr. Leslie Hatchgale, a professional organizer with a background in early childhood special education, shares her journey into studying hoarding challenges and how she became involved with the TV show Hoarders. While the show helped raise awareness about hoarding, Dr. Hatchgale describes how it falls short in truly helping individuals with hoarding challenges. However, she acknowledges the positive impact of the show in terms of increasing awareness. She emphasizes the need for more understanding and support for individuals with hoarding challenges, highlighting the importance of treating it as a symptom rather than as a standalone disorder. Dr. Hatchgale also discusses the impact of hoarding on children, advocating for a compassionate and empathetic approach to help them navigate their experiences and offering practical suggestions for others to support children living in hoarding environments.

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